Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot using a collar

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.

This is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 08/043,506 filed Apr. 6, 1993,entitled APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A DECORATIVE COVER FOR A FLOWER POTUSING A COLLAR; which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 07/773,474 filedon Oct. 9, 1991, entitled APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A DECORATIVE COVER FORA FLOWER POT USING A COLLAR, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,794, issued Aug. 3,1993; which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 07/404,955, filed on Sep.8, 1989, entitled APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A DECORATIVE COVER FOR AFLOWER POT USING A COLLAR, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,937, issued Jan. 7,1992; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/365,767, filedJun. 13, 1989, entitled DECORATIVE COVER FOR HANGING BASKET, nowabandoned.

Said U.S. application Ser. No. 07/404,955 (Sep. 8, 1989, U.S. Pat. No.5,077,937) is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 327,996,filed on Mar. 21, 1989 entitled METHOD OF SHAPING AND HOLDING A SHEET OFMATERIAL ABOUT A FLOWER POT WITH A COLLAR, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,423,issued Feb. 20, 1990; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 232,541,filed Aug. 11, 1988, titled METHOD OF SHAPING AND HOLDING A SHEET OFMATERIAL ABOUT A FLOWER POT WITH A COLLAR, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,834,issued Jun. 6, 1989; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 876,405,filed on Jun. 20, 1986, entitled FLOWER POT ACCESSORY, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the forming of a decorativecover for a flower pot using a collar or collar segments and includesmeans for making the collars.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a flower pot with a decorative coverconnected thereto by way of a collar.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a collar constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a modified collar constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another modified collar constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan, partial sectional view of yet another modifiedcollar constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a modified flower pot with a sheet ofmaterial secured thereto by way of a collar to provide a decorativecover.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another modified flower pot with a sheetof material connected thereto by way of a collar constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another collar constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another modified collar including the meansfor holding a card.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of another modified collar with means forholding a bow.

FIG. 11 is a view of a modified flower pot with a sheet of materialsecured thereto by way of a collar to provide a decorative cover andwith a sleeve removably connected to the flower pot by way of thecollar.

FIG. 12 is a view of the modified flower pot of FIG. 11 with the sheetof material secured thereto by way of a collar and with a sleeveremovably connected to the decorative cover.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another modified flower pot with a sheetof material secured thereto by way of a collar to provide a decorativecover.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of still another modified collar.

FIG. 15 is a view of a decorative cover made using a collar constructedin accordance with the present invention, shown in FIG. 15 secured to aflower pot.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a flower pot with a decorative cover madeusing a collar constructed in accordance with the present inventiondisposed thereabout.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a sheet of material with collar segmentssecured thereto for use in forming the decorative cover for the flowerpot.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a flower pot with a decorative coversecured thereto made using the sheet of material of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the flower pot with the sheet of materialof FIG. 17 connected thereto to provide a decorative cover.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of a decorative cover made using a sheet ofmaterial like the sheet of material in FIG. 17 with modified collarsegments secured thereto, the decorative cover being shown in FIG. 20connected to a flower pot.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a decorative cover made using the collarconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of a flower pot cover, similar to FIG. 21,but made using a modified collar.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a decorative cover, similar to FIGS. 21and 22, but made using still another modified collar.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a modified collar.

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of a system for constructing the collars ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Shown in FIG. 1 and designated therein by the general reference numeral10 is a decorative cover connected to a flower pot 12.

The flower pot 12 has an upper end 14, a lower end 16, an outerperipheral surface 18 and an object opening 20 formed through the upperend 14 and extending the distance through the flower pot 12 forming aninner peripheral surface 22. The object opening 20 is adapted to receiveand accommodate a floral grouping such as potted plants or pottedflowers.

The decorative cover comprises a sheet of material 24 having an uppersurface 26 and a lower surface 28. The sheet of material may be acellophane, man-made organic polymer film, paper, metal, foil, clingwrap, burlap, fabric or combinations thereof.

The term "man-made organic polymer film" means a man-made resin such asa polypropylene as opposed to naturally occurring resins such ascellophane.

A man-made organic polymer film is relatively strong and not as subjectto tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paperor foil. The man-made organic polymer film is a substantially linearlylinked processed organic polymer film and is a synthetic linear chainorganic polymer where the carbon atoms are substantially linearlylinked. Such films are synthetic polymers formed or synthesized frommonomers. Further, a relatively substantially linearly linked processedorganic polymer film is virtually waterproof which may be desirable inmany applications such as wrapping a floral grouping.

The term "floral grouping" as used herein means cut fresh flowers,artificial flowers, other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floralmaterials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentationwhich add to the aesthetics of the overall floral grouping.

Additionally a relatively thin film of substantially linearly linkedprocessed organic polymer does not substantially deteriorate insunlight. Processed organic polymer films having carbon atoms bothlinearly linked and cross-linked, and some cross-linked polymer films,also may be suitable for use in the present invention provided suchfilms are substantially flexible and can be made in a sheet-like formatfor wrapping purposes consistent with the present invention.

The term "cling wrap" as used herein means any material which is capableof connecting to the sheet of material and/or itself upon contactingengagement during the wrapping process and is wrappable about an itemwhereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connectto other portions of the wrapping material for generally securing thesheet of material wrapped about at least a portion of the item. Thisconnecting engagement is preferably temporary in that the wrappingmaterial may be easily removed without tearing same, i.e., the clingmaterial "clings" to the wrapping material. A wrapping material whichremains securely connected to and about the wrapped item until thewrapping material is torn therefrom. The cling material is constructedand treated if necessary, from polyethylene such as Cling Wrap made byGladN, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Connecticut. The thickness ofthe cling material will, in part, depend upon the thickness of the sheetof material utilized, i.e., generally, the thicker and therefore heaviersheet of material may require a thicker and therefore stronger clingmaterial. The cling material will range in thickness from less thanabout 0.2 mils to about 10 mils, and preferably less than about 0.5 milsto about 2.5 mils and most preferably from less than about 0.6 mils toabout 2 mils. However, any thickness of cling material may be utilizedin accordance with the present invention which permits the clingmaterial to function as described herein.

Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a collar 30 constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the collar 30 is constructed of a relativelyrigid material, such as a metal or plastic material, and, preferably,the material also is such that the collar 30 is resilient. The collar 30has an outer peripheral surface 32 and an opening 34 formed through aportion thereof providing or forming an inner peripheral surface 36.

The collar 30 is generally circularly shaped and the opening 34 has asize or diameter 38 in a closed position of the collar 30, as shown inFIG. 2. As mentioned before, the collar 30 is resilient and the collar30 is movable from the closed position (shown in FIG. 2) in directions40 and 42 to an opened position wherein the size (diameter 38) of theopening 34 is increased.

In this particular embodiment of the collar 30, the collar 30 has afirst end 44 and a second end 46. The first and the second ends 44 and46 are spaced a distance 48 apart in the closed position of the collar30.

The first and the second ends 44 and 46 are moved in the directions 40and 42 for moving the collar 30 from the closed position to the openedposition, the first and the second ends 44 and 46 being moved generallyapart as the collar 30 is moved from the closed to the opened position.When the collar 30 is in the opened position and the collar 30 isreleased, the resilient nature of the collar 30 springs the ends 44 and46 generally toward each other in directions 50 and 52 moving the collar30 back to the closed position. The distance between the ends 44 and 46increases as the collar 30 is moved from the closed to the openedposition and the distance between the ends 44 and 46 decreases as thecollar 30 is moved from the opened to the closed position.

In operation, the sheet of material 24 is formed and extended about theouter peripheral surface 18 of the flower pot 12. The collar 30 is movedfrom the closed position to the opened position, thereby increasing thesize (diameter) of the opening 34 so that the flower pot 12 with thesheet of material 24 disposed thereabout can be inserted through theopening 34 and the collar 30. The size (diameter of the opening 34) inthe opened position of the collar 30 is larger than the size (diameter)of the outer peripheral surface 18 of the flower pot 12 to permit thecollar 30 to be easily disposed about the outer peripheral surface 18 ofthe flower pot 12 with the sheet of material 24 disposed thereabout. Thecollar 30 is positioned on the flower pot 12 with the sheet of material24 disposed thereabout and the collar 30 is released, thereby moving thecollar 30 from the opened to the closed position. In the closedposition, the opening 34 in the collar 30 has a size (diameter) slightlysmaller than the size (diameter) formed by the outer peripheral surface18 of the flower pot 12 so that the collar 30 clampingly engages theflower pot 12 with the sheet of material 24 disposed thereabout. Thecollar 30 clamps the sheet of material 24 to the outer peripheralsurface 18 of the flower pot 12, thereby securing the sheet of material24 to the flower pot 12 to provide the decorative cover 10.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 3

Shown in FIG. 3 is a modified collar 30a. The collar 30a is generallycircularly shaped and constructed of a relatively rigid, resilientmaterial in the manner like that described before with respect to thecollar 30.

The collar 30a has a first end 54 and a second end 56. A portion of thecollar 30a, generally near the first end 54 thereof overlaps a portionof the collar 30a generally near the second end 56 thereof. The firstand the second ends 54 and 56 are moveable in directions 58 and 60 tomove the collar 30a from the closed position (shown in FIG. 3) to anopened position for increasing the size (diameter 38). The ends 54 and56 are also movable in directions 62 and 64 for moving the collar 30afrom the opened position to the closed position. It should be noted thatthe overlapping portions of the first and the second ends 54 and 56remain overlapped in the opened and the closed positions of the collar30a.

The collar 30a has an outer peripheral surface 66 and an opening 68formed through a portion thereof forming or providing an innerperipheral surface 70.

In operation, the sheet of material 24 is placed about the flower pot12. The collar 30a is moved from the closed position to the openedposition. In the opened position, the collar 30a is positioned about theouter peripheral surface 18 of the flower pot 12 with the sheet ofmaterial disposed thereabout. The collar 30a then is released and movedto the closed position for clamping the sheet of material 24 to theouter peripheral surface 18 of the flower pot 12.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 4

Shown in FIG. 4 is another modified collar 30b which is constructedexactly like the collar 30 shown in FIG. 2, except the collar 30b alsoincludes a spring 72 which is connected to the first and the second ends44 and 46 of the collar 30b. The spring 72 biases the collar 30b towardthe closed position, thereby providing additional assurance that thecollar 30b will be moved to the closed position for clamping the sheetof material 24 to the outer peripheral surface 18 of the flower pot 12.It should be noted that the spring 72 comprises a spring means which maybe a mechanical spring as shown in FIG. 4 or a rubber band or any othermeans for biasing the collar 30b from the opened to the closed position.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 5

Shown in FIG. 5 is another modified collar 30c. The collar 30c comprisesa plurality of collar segments 74. Each of the collar segments 74 isidentical in construction and only two of the collar segments 74 aredesignated with a reference numeral in FIG. 5.

Each collar segment has opposite ends 76 and 78 and an opening 80extending therethrough intersecting the opposite ends 76 and 78 thereof.The collar segments 74 are disposed in an end to end relationship toform a generally circularly shaped collar 30c having a size (diameter82). The collar 30c has an outer peripheral surface 84 with an opening86 formed through a portion thereof forming or providing an innerperipheral surface 88.

A spring 90 is disposed and extended through the openings 80 and thecollar segments 74 for connecting the collar segments 74 in an assembledposition to form the collar 30c. The spring 90 permits the collarsegments 74 to be moved generally apart for increasing the opening 86 inthe collar 30c and for moving the collar 30c to the opened position. Thespring 90 resiliently biases the collar segments 74 from the openedposition to the closed position (shown in FIG. 5).

The collar segments 74 are moved to the opened position and the collar30c is disposed about the outer peripheral surface 18 of the flower pot12 with the sheet of material already disposed about the outerperipheral surface 18 of the flower pot 12. The collar segments 74 arethen released and the spring 90 biases the collar segments 74 to theclosed position for clampingly engaging the sheet of material 24 andclamping the sheet of material 24 to the flower pot 12 to provide thedecorative cover in a manner like that described before with respect tothe decorative cover 10 shown in FIG. 1.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 6

Shown in FIG. 6 is a flower pot 92 having an upper end 94, a lower end96, an outer peripheral surface 98 and an object opening 100 extending adistance therethrough intersecting the upper end 94 thereof and formingor providing an inner peripheral surface 102. The object opening 100 issized and shaped to accommodate a floral grouping such as a potted plantor potted flowers for example in a manner like that described beforewith respect to the flower pot 12.

A groove 104 is formed in the outer peripheral surface 98 of the flowerpot 92, generally near the upper end 94 thereof. The groove 104 extendscircumferentially about the outer peripheral surface 98. The groove 104provides a snap means, for reasons which will be made apparent below.

A collar 106 is disposed about the outer peripheral surface of theflower pot 92 with a sheet of material 24 already disposed about theouter peripheral surface 98 of the flower pot 92. The collar 106 ismoved to a position wherein the collar 106 engages the groove 104 and isdisposed in the groove 104, thereby securing the sheet of material 24 tothe outer peripheral surface 98 of the flower pot 92 to provide adecorative cover. The collar 106 and groove 104 provide a more securemeans for positioning the collar 106 on the flower pot 92.

The collar 106 may be constructed in the manner like that describedbefore with respect to the collar 30 or the collar 30a or the collar 30bor the collar 30c or the collar shown in FIG. 8 and described below.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 7

Shown in FIG. 7 is a flower pot 116 having an upper end 118, a lower end120, an outer peripheral surface 122 and an object opening 124 formedthrough a portion thereof intersecting the upper end 118 and extending adistance therethrough thereby forming or providing an inner peripheralsurface 126. The object opening 124 is adapted and shaped to provide andaccommodate a floral grouping such as a potted plant or potted flowersin a manner for reasons like that described before with respect to theflower pot 12.

A modified collar 30e is snappingly connected to the outer peripheralsurface 122 of the flower pot 116. The collar 30e has an outerperipheral surface 128 and an opening 130 extending through a portionthereof forming an inner peripheral surface 132. A groove 134 is formedin the inner peripheral surface 132 of the collar 30e. The groove 134extends circumferentially about the inner peripheral surface 132.

A ridge 136 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 122 of the flowerpot 116. The ridge 136 extends circumferentially about the outerperipheral surface 122 of the flower pot 116. The ridge 136 cooperatesto form a snap means for snapping the collar 30e into position on theflower pot 116.

In operation, the sheet of material 24 is placed about the outerperipheral surface 122 of the flower pot 116. The collar 30e is moved tothe opened position and the flower pot 116 is disposed through theopening 130 and the collar 30e. The collar 30e is moved onto the flowerpot 116 to a position wherein the collar 30e snaps onto the ridge 136 onthe flower pot 116, the ridge 136 being disposed in the groove 134thereby securing the collar 30e to the flower pot 116 and connecting thesheet of material 24 to the flower pot 116 to provide a decorative covertherefore.

The collar 30e may be constructed like the collars 30, 30a, 30b, 30c or30d, except, in each instance, the groove 134 must be formed in theinner peripheral surface of the collar.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 8

Shown in FIG. 8 is another modified collar 30d which is constructed ofrelatively rigid, yet resilient material. The collar 30d has an outerperipheral surface 108 and an opening 110 formed through a portionthereof, thereby providing or forming an inner peripheral surface 112.The opening 110 in the collar 30d has a size (diameter 114). Thediameter 114 of the collar 30d is about the same or slightly smallerthan the diameter formed by the outer peripheral surface of a flowerpot, such as the flower pot 92 shown in FIG. 6. The collar 30dparticularly is adapted to be used with the flower pot 92 shown in FIG.6.

In operation, the sheet of material 24 is disposed about the outerperipheral surface 98 of the flower pot 92 and the flower pot 92 withthe sheet of material 24 disposed thereabout is moved through theopening 110 and the collar 30d. The collar 30d is flexible enough toexpand to permit the collar 30d to be forcibly moved along the outerperipheral surface of the flower pot 92 until the collar 30d is snappedinto the groove 104 formed in the outer peripheral surface 98 of theflower pot 92, thereby securing the sheet of material 24 to the flowerpot 92 for providing the decorative cover.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 9

Shown in FIG. 9 is a collar 30f which is construct exactly like thecollar 30a shown in FIG. 3 and describe 138 before, except the collar30f includes a card holder connected to the outer peripheral surface 66.The card hold 138 comprises a tab 140 secured to the outer peripheralsurface 66 of the collar 30f. The tab 140 extends a distance outwardlyfrom the outer peripheral surface 66. A card receiving slot 142 isformed in the tab 140. The card receiving slot 142 is sized to receive acard 144 such as a greeting card or a care card (instructions relatingto the care of a plant). The card receiving slot 142 is slightly smallerthan the card 144 so that the card 144 interferingly fits in the cardreceiving slot 142 and is held in place in the card receiving slot 142.

The card holder 138 also could be connected onto the outer periphery ofany of the other collars such as the collars 30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and30e or any of the other collars described herein.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 10

Shown in FIG. 10 is a modified collar 30g. The collar 30g is constructedexactly like the collar 30a describe before, except the collar 30gincludes a bow holder 146 secured to the outer peripheral surface 66 ofthe collar 30g. A bow 148 is connected to the bow holder 146. The bowholder 146 is adapted for holdingly supporting the bow 148. The bowholder 146 could be constructed similar to the card holder 138 shown inFIG. 9 and described before so that portion of the bow interferinglyfits in the bow receiving slot (card receiving slot 142).

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 11

Shown in FIG. 11 is a flower pot 150 having an upper end 152, a lowerend 154, an outer peripheral surface 156 and an object opening 158extending therethrough intersecting the upper end 152 and extending thedistance therein forming an inner peripheral surface 160. The objectopening 158 is size adapted to receive a floral grouping such as apotted plant or flower in the manner like that described before withrespect to the flower pot 12. A modified ridge 136a is formed on theouter peripheral surface 156 of the flower pot 150. The ridge 136aextends circumferentially about the outer peripheral surface 156 of theflower pot 150.

A portion of the flower pot 150 generally near the upper end 152 thereofis flared outwardly at an angle to form a flared portion 162. The lengthand the angle of the flared portion 162 may be adjusted and varied tocontrol the angle at which the sheet of material 24 extends from theupper end 152 of the flower pot 150.

A modified collar 30h is snappingly secured to the flower pot 150. Thecollar 30h is constructed like the collar 30d shown in FIG. 8 describedin detail before, except the collar 30h includes a modified groove 134hshaped to mate with the modified ridge 136a.

A sleeve 164 constructed of a relatively thin, flexible sheet ofpreferably transparent material is extended about a floral grouping 163which extends upwardly from the upper end 152 of the flower pot 150. Thesleeve 164 encompasses the floral grouping and the ends of the sleeve164 extend a distance along the outer peripheral surface 156 of theflower pot 150 generally near the upper end 152 thereof. Moreparticularly, the ends of the sleeve 164 extend a distance generallyover the ridge 136a formed in the flower pot 150.

In operation, the sleeve 164 is positioned over the floral grouping 163and portions of the ends of the sleeve are positioned generally alongthe outer peripheral surface 156 of the flower pot 150 and over theridge 136a. The sheet of material 24 is then positioned about the outerperipheral surface 156 of the flower pot 150 and portions of the sheetof material 24 extend generally over the ridge 136a. The collar 30h ismoved to the opened position and slipped over the outer peripheralsurface 156 of the flower pot 150. The collar 30h is moved along theouter peripheral surface 156 to a position wherein the collar 30h issnapped onto the ridge 136a with the ridge 136a extending into thegroove 134h. The collar 30h thus secures the sleeve 164 and the sheet ofmaterial 24 to the flower pot 150.

The sleeve 164 generally is provided to protect flowers during shipmentor the like and, after shipment, the sleeve generally is removed. Toremove the sleeve 164, an individual simply slips the sleeve 164 outfrom between the collar 30h and the outer peripheral surface 156 of theflower pot 150.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 12

Shown in FIG. 12 is the flower pot 150 with the sheet of material 24secured thereto by way of the collar 30h in a manner exactly like thatdescribed before with respect to FIG. 11, except, in this embodiment, amodified sleeve 164a is removably connected to an outer peripheralsurface 166 of the sheet of material 24. The sleeve 164a may beconnected to an outer peripheral surface 166 (FIG. 11) by way of aperforated line 168 or, in lieu of the perforated line 168, a tear stripmay be utilized or the sleeve 164a may be adhesively connected to theouter peripheral surface 166 of the sheet of material 24. In any event,the sleeve 164a is removably connected to the sheet of the material 24so that the sleeve 164a may be removed from the sheet of material 24thereby leaving the decorative cover formed by the sheet of material 24and the collar 30h.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 13

Shown in FIG. 13 is a flower pot 170 having an upper end 172, a lowerend 174, an outer peripheral surface 176 and an object opening 178extending the distance therethrough intersecting the upper end 172thereof and forming or providing an inner peripheral surface 180. Agroove 182 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 180 of the flowerpot 170. The groove 182 extends circumferentially about the innerperipheral surface 180 of the flower pot 170.

A collar 30i is disposed in the object opening 178 and snappinglyconnected to the groove 182. The collar 30i has an outer peripheralsurface 184 and an opening 186 formed through a portion thereof formingor providing an inner peripheral surface 188.

A ridge 190 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 184 of the collar30i. The ridge 190 extends circumferentially about the outer peripheralsurface 184 of the collar 30i and the ridge 190 extends a distancegenerally outwardly from the outer peripheral surface 184 of the collar30i. The ridge 190 is shaped to matingly fit the groove 182.

In operation, the sheet of material 24 is extended about the outerperipheral surface 176 of the flower pot 170 and over the upper end ofthe flower pot 170. The sheet of material further is extended downwardlyalong the inner peripheral surface 180 of the flower pot 170 and overthe groove 182. In this position of the sheet of material, the collar30i is disposed in the object opening and moved to a position whereinthe ridge 190 in the collar 30i snappingly engages the groove 182 in theflower pot 170 to secure the sheet of material 24 to the flower pot 170.The sheet of material 24 further is extended over the collar 30iupwardly and outwardly from the object opening 178 to provide thedecorative cover.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 14

Shown in FIG. 14 is a collar 30j which is constructed exactly like thecollar 30 shown in FIG. 2 and described before, except the collar 30jincludes a flange 192 formed on the outer peripheral surface 32j andextending the distance therefrom, generally near the end 44j thereof,and a flange 194 formed on the outer peripheral surface 32j andextending outwardly a distance therefrom, generally near the end 46jthereof. A rubber band 196 is extended about the flanges 192 and 194.The rubber band 196 provides a spring means for biasing the collar 30jto the closed position in a manner similar to that described before withrespect to the spring 72 shown in FIG. 4.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 15

Shown in FIG. 15 is the flower pot 12 which is constructed like theflower pot 12 shown in FIG. 1 and described in detail before.

A collar 30k is connected to the outer peripheral surface 18 of theflower pot 12. The collar 30k may be constructed like the collars 30,30a, 30b, 30c, 30f or 30g described before. The sheet of material 24 issecured to the outer peripheral surface of the collar 30k via adhesive198. The sheet of material 24 is adhesively connected to the collar 30k.

In operation, the collar 30k is moved to the opened position. The collar30k then with the sheet of material 24 connected thereto is moved to theopened position and moved over the outer peripheral surface 18 of theflower pot 12 until the collar 30k has been positioned in apredetermined position. The collar 30k is then released and the collar30k is moved to the closed position wherein the collar 30k grips theouter peripheral surface 18 of the flower pot 12 to secure the collar30k with the sheet of material 24 connected thereto to the flower pot 12and provide the decorative cover therefor.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 16

Shown in FIG. 16 is a flower pot 12 which is constructed exactly likethe flower pot 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 and described in detailbefore. A collar 30l is grippingly connected to the outer peripheralsurface 18 of the flower pot 12. The collar 30l is constructed exactlylike the collar 30k except that the collar 30l includes a rim 200 formedon the inner peripheral surface of the collar 30l and extending inwardlyinto the opening of the collar 30l. The sheet of material 24 isadhesively connected to the outer peripheral surface of the collar 30l.

The collar 30l with the sheet of material 24 secured thereto is movedover the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot 12 to a positionwherein the rim 200 overlaps the upper end 14 of the flower pot 12. Thecollar 30l then is moved to the closed position for grippingly engagingthe outer peripheral surface 18 of the flower pot 12, thereby securingthe collar 30l and the sheet of material 24 connected thereto to theflower pot 12. The rim 200 engages the upper end 14 of the flower pot 12and cooperates to position the collar 30l with the sheet of material 24connected thereto on the flower pot 12.

It should be noted that in lieu of adhesively connecting the sheet ofmaterial 24 to the collar 30k or 30l, the sheet of material may bemechanically connected to the collar 30k or 30l such as by stapling or asheet of material 24 may be heat welded to the collar 30k or 30l or thesheet of material 24 may be connected by any other suitable means to thecollar 30k or 30l.

EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 17, 18 & 19

Shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is a sheet of material 202 having an uppersurface 204 and a lower surface 206. The sheet of material 202 isconstructed exactly like the sheet of material 24 described in detailbefore.

At least two collar segments 208 are connected to the lower surface 206of the sheet of material 202 (four collar segments 208 being shown inFIG. 17). The collar segments 208 are identical in construction. Thecollar segments 208 are spaced over the lower surface 206 of the sheetof material 202.

Each collar segment 208 includes a base 210 and a flange 212 connectedto the base 210 and extending a distance generally upwardly andoutwardly from the base 210. A hole 214 is formed through each of theflanges 212. The base 210 of each of the collar segments 208 is securedto the lower surface 206 of the sheet of material 202, such as byadhesively connecting the base 210 to the sheet of material 202.

The sheet of material 202 with the collar segments 208 secured theretois extended about the outer peripheral surface 18 of the flower pot 12(shown in FIGS. 18 and 19) to a position wherein the flanges 212 eachextend generally over the upper end 14 of the flower pot 12 and thebases 210 each engage a portion of the outer peripheral surface 18 ofthe flower pot 12. In this position, two of the flanges 212 areconnected by way of a spring 216 with each end of the spring 216 beingextended through one of the holes 214 in one of the flanges 212. Anotherspring 218 connects the remaining two flanges 212 with each end of thespring 218 extending through the hole 214 formed in one of the flanges212. The springs 216 and 218 cooperate to secure the collar segments 208to the flower pot 12.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 20

Shown in FIG. 20 is the sheet of material 202 with four modified collarsegments 208a secured thereto. The collar segments 208a are constructedlike the collar segments 208 shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 and describedbefore, except each of the collar segments 208a includes a modifiedflange 212 which has a hooked shape. After the sheet of material 202with the collar segments 208a has been positioned on the flower pot 12in a manner described before in connection with FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, arubber band 220 is connected to the hook shaped flanges 212 of two ofthe collar segments 208a to interconnect the collar segments 208a andsecure the sheet of material 202 to the flower pot 12, four rubber bands220 being shown in FIG. 20 with each rubber band 220 beinginterconnected between two of the collar segments 208a.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 21

Shown in FIG. 21 is a collar 30m which is constructed exactly like thecollar 30e shown in FIG. 7, except the collar 30m does not have to beconstructed of a resilient material since the collar 30m does not haveto be moved to opened and closed positions in a manner like thatdescribed before with respect to the collar 30e. A sheet of material 222is secured to the outer peripheral surface 108m of the collar 30m. Thesheet of material 222 has a thickness and is constructed of a materialsuch that the sheet of material basically maintains its predeterminedshape shown in FIG. 21 having a lower end 224 and a base 226 extendingupwardly from the lower end 224. After it initially has been formed inthis predetermined shape, the sheet of material is connected to theouter peripheral surface 108m of the collar 30m by way of an adhesive228 or by heat sealing or by any other attachment means such asstapling.

In this embodiment, the collar 30m cooperates to retain the formed shapeof the sheet of material 222, the formed shape being that of adecorative cover having the base 226 extending upwardly from the lowerend 224. The decorative cover formed with the sheet of material 222 andthe collar 30m provides a decorative cover for a flower pot like theflower pot 12. When it is desired to be utilized, the flower pot merelyis inserted into the opening in the base 226 of the decorative coverprovided by the sheet of material 222.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 22

Shown in FIG. 22 is a decorative flower pot cover made from the sheet ofmaterial 222 which is constructed exactly like the sheet of material 222shown in FIG. 21 and described before. The sheet of material 222 isinitially formed into a shape of a flower pot cover with the base 226having the lower end 224.

A modified collar 30n is disposed in the opening in the decorative coverand secured to the decorative cover for cooperating to hold the sheet ofmaterial 222 in the form of the decorative cover. The collar 30n isconstructed exactly like the collar 30m shown in FIG. 21 and describedin detail before. Except, the collar 30n has a plurality of barbs 230formed on the outer peripheral surface 108n of the collar 30n with eachof the barbs 230 being spaced circumferentially about the outerperipheral surface 108n of the collar 30n and extended a distanceoutwardly from the outer peripheral surface 108n of the collar 30n. Whenthe collar 30n is disposed in the opening in the decorative coverprovided by the formed sheet of material 222, the barbs 230 each arepierced through the sheet of material for connecting the collar 30n tothe sheet of material 222. The collar 30n cooperates to maintain thesheet of material 222 in the formed shape of a decorative flower potcover.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 23

Shown in FIG. 23 is a sheet of material 232 which is constructed exactlylike the sheet of material 222 and formed in the form of a decorativecover having a base 234 with a lower end 236. The decorative cover ofFIG. 23 has an upper end 238. The decorative cover of FIG. 23 is shapedto accommodate a flower pot like the flower pot 12 shown in FIG. 1.

A circularly shaped modified collar 30p is connected to the upper end238 of the sheet of material 232 and the collar 30p extendscircumferentially about the upper end 238 of the sheet of material 232.The collar 30p is generally U-shaped in one cross section forming areceiving opening 240. The U shaped collar 30p has a first leg 242 and asecond leg 244. The first and second legs 242 and 244 are connected by aconnecting portion 246. The first and second legs 242 and 244 are spaceda distance apart and the space between the first and second legs 242 and244 cooperate to form the receiving space 240.

The portion of sheet of material 232, generally near the upper end 238thereof, is disposed in the receiving space 240. The collar 30p isconstructed so that the legs 242 and 244 are generally in the closedposition for clamping the collar 30p to the upper end 238 of the sheetof material 232. To place the collar 30p on the upper end 238 of thesheet of material 232, the legs 242 and 244 are spread apart so that theupper end 238 portion of the sheet of material 232 can be inserted intothe receiving opening 240.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 24

Shown in FIG. 24 is a modified collar 308 which is constructed exactlylike the collar 30e shown in FIG. 7 except the collar 308 has anundulating or scalloped shape. The scalloped shaped collar 308 isadapted to provide a scalloped shaped decorative cover. The collarsdescribed herein including the collars 30m, 30n, and 30p also can bescalloped shaped in the manner shown in FIG. 24 with respect to thecollar 308.

It should be noted that, although the sheets of material 222 and 232have been described herein as being constructed of a relatively rigidmaterial capable of holding the shape of the decorative cover, the sheetof material 222 or 232 could be a relatively flexible material. Whenconstructed of the relatively flexible material, the decorative cover inessence would collapse after the collar has been connected to the sheetof material. The collapsed decorative cover then could be inserted overthe outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and then connected to theflower pot to support the decorative cover on the flower pot.

EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 25

Shown in FIG. 25 is a commercially available extruding machine 250 whichis capable of extruding a tubular shaped plastic member 251 having anouter peripheral surface 252 and an opening 254 extending therethroughforming an inner peripheral surface 256. The opening 254 in the tubularmember 251 is substantially the same shape as the opening in the collar,such as the opening 110 in the collar 30d, for example. The outerperipheral surface 252 in the tubular member 251 is substantially thesame shape as the outer peripheral surface in the collar, such as theouter peripheral surface 108 in the collar 30d, for example.

A cutting member 258 connected to a cutter drive 260 is adapted tocuttingly engage the tubular member 251 for cutting an end portion fromthe tubular member 251, the cut portion forming a collar 262 like thecollar 30e shown in FIG. 7.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 25 also can be utilized to extrudingly formthe other collars described herein. For example, a sizing clamp could beadded which would cycle into a closed position over the tube beingextruded before the tube was fully cured or hard for causing anindentation in the tubular member 251 which would serve as a groove inthe outer peripheral surface of the collar. In a like manner, a ridge orraised area could be formed by cycling the clamp on the inside of thetubular member 251 prior to the tubular member 251 becoming set or hard.A water spray could be added to the system shown in FIG. 25 for thepurpose of cooling the tubular member 251 in an expeditious manner.

Changes may be made in the various parts, elements and assembliesdescribed herein and changes may be made in the steps or sequence ofsteps of the methods described herein without departing from the spiritand the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the variousparts, elements and assemblies described herein and changes may be madein the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot, the flower pot having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, the apparatus comprising:a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface; a collar comprising at least two collar segments, each collar segment having a base portion and a flange portion with the base portion connected to the lower surface of the sheet of material so that the base is engagable with a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and the flange portion is extendable over the upper end of the flower pot when the sheet of material is disposed about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; and means for biasing the collar segments against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to secure the sheet of material about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for biasing comprises a spring having one end attached to the flange portion of one of the collar segments and another end attached to the flange portion of the other collar segment.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for biasing comprises an elastic band having one portion attached to the flange portion of one of the collar segments and another portion attached to the flange portion of the other collar segment.
 4. An apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot, the flower pot having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer peripheral surface, the apparatus comprising:a sheet of material having an upper surface and a lower surface; a collar comprising at least two collar segments, each collar segment having a base portion connected to the lower surface of the sheet of material; and means for biasing the collar segments against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to secure the sheet of material about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for biasing comprises a spring having one end attached to the one of the collar segments and another end attached to another collar segment.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for biasing comprises an elastic band having one end attached to the one of the collar segments and another end attached to another collar segment. 